Mwaba, Jonathan Odia
Jonathan Odia Mwaba is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.
The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.
A lay member of The United Methodist Church in Lubumbashi, DRC, related to the South Congo Annual Conference, Jonathan contributes as an intercessor and singer in his congregation. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and natural resource management.
“My spiritual growth,” he said, “felt like a time-bound process, entrenched with reflection, challenges and a growing sense of purpose. I was raised in the faith, which crucially defined my young life, though not before facing situations under circumstances of uncertainty and adversities had the birth pangs of a more personal and yet deeper relationship with God actually begun. These experiences forced me to look for it and enabled me to be committed to the service of others as an outward expression of it.”
One spiritually significant moment for Jonathan Odia occurred when he began serving in a community-outreach program. “The suffering tragedy of people in conditions unimaginable,” he said, “teaches great lessons on compassion and service. In these interactions, I came to realize the great effect of actualizing one’s faith in meeting the needs of others.”
Global Mission Fellows is vital, Jonathan Odia noted, because faith always seems to be realized through action. “Mission work is giving a medium for one’s organic fate — the means to be God’s love, to instill hope, to bring support, to extend those hands to help, learning humility and grace,” he said.
Jonathan Odia is excited to become a Global Mission Fellow because “through this work, my faith and educational background in agriculture and natural resources management can serve as powerful tools for propelling justice and sustainability into communities that most need these resources,” he explained. Growing up, he witnessed the struggles that smallholder farmers faced: food insecurity, environmental degradation and limited access to resources. These experiences shaped his understanding of the interplay between social justice, environmental stewardship and community resilience.
“I envision myself immersing myself in a new environment,” he said, “whereby leaders and locals will add to my learning about specific challenges and insights that differ from mine. This program gives me the opportunity to put my academic knowledge into practice in real life and to create practical solutions that are culturally relevant and sustainable.”
Jonathan Odia is also drawn to the faith-based aspect, coupled with service to others. “Growing up in The United Methodist Church,” he said, “I have been influenced by the call to love our neighbors and care for creation. Being a fellow will give me an opportunity to live into that calling through advocating for marginalized communities and contributing to initiatives that promote social and environmental justice. The training and mentorship provided through the program will equip me with essential skills in community organizing, advocacy and cross-cultural communication vital for effective service.”
He is also excited about developing a spirit of cooperation and humility. “I consider myself a learner in quest of listening to voices that suffer from issues related to justice and sustainability,” he explained.
Global Mission Fellows, Jonathan Odia continued, “aligns perfectly with my personal and professional aspirations. This is a great opportunity that will help me grow in faith, increase my knowledge on global issues and be practically prepared for a vocation of service to the community through sustainable agriculture and environmental care.”
As a recent graduate in agriculture and natural resources management, he wants to apply his skills and knowledge in the pressing challenges of food security, sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. “I strongly believe,” Jonathan Odia said,” that these areas are fundamental in fostering resilient communities, especially in regions facing economic and ecological difficulties.”
He hopes to use his education to establish environmentally friendly agricultural methods that increase crop yield, foster biodiversity and conserve natural resources. “I will collaborate with local farmers and communities, sharing techniques like agroecology, permaculture and organic farming methods, as these improve food production without harming the environment,” he said. “This will be realized through engaging directly in hands-on workshops and training sessions that will empower community members with the necessary tools to cultivate their land sustainably.
“Fundamentally, my goal as a fellow is to create long-lasting change by integrating agricultural knowledge with social and environmental justice. I believe together and through shared learning, new ideas can be developed and created that are beneficial both to people and the planet.”